About Fiona

When Fiona Simpson won the newly created Sunshine Coast seat of Maroochydore in 1992 at the age of 27, she was the youngest ever woman at that time elected to the Queensland Parliament.

Her reputation for hard work and strong community representation has since seen her re-elected six times. In September 2006 she was elected as Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, a position she held until the creation of the Liberal National Party in July 2008. Fiona is currently the Shadow Minister for Main Roads and Transport.

An award-winning journalist before entering Parliament (Dalgetys Excellence in Rural Journalism Award), Fiona has a diverse background of interests and achievements. She speaks conversational Japanese having lived and studied there as a Rotary Exchange Student. On return to Australia, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Japanese, journalism and government. She also holds a Master of Arts in organisational leadership, majoring in communications, as well as a diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Her ties to the Sunshine Coast are strong, having grown up there as a child, attending Cooroy and Yandina Primary and Nambour High School.
Fiona is passionate about local community. She endeavours to follow the principles of servant leadership - leading by serving others - and actively supports a range of community groups such as sports, church and welfare organisations whose members are building a stronger Sunshine Coast community through their commitment to other people.

Two of her favourite sayings are: "don't sit back and whinge about it, have a go and make a difference"; and "there has never been a cynic who has changed the world for the better".

Aside from the serious pursuits of life, Fiona stays sane, happy and healthy by indulging her love of singing and walking on her favourite Sunshine Coast beaches. She recorded her own album before entering Parliament and is a regular guest artist at charitable concerts. She enjoys tennis, bushwalking and good coffee.

Nine things you didn’t know about Fiona

1. She attended the same high school as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan, Nambour State High School on the Sunshine Coast (she’s younger!).
2. Fiona received her Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors last year and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese, Journalism and Government as well as a Master of Arts in Organisational Leadership majoring in organisational communication.
3. During her early university days, Fiona worked as a Japanese tour guide on the Gold Coast and speaks conversational Japanese after living in Japan for 12 months as a Rotary exchange student.
4. Fiona loves ABBA and has donned the lycra suit to sing at charity events.
5. She attended primary school barefoot (Yandina) but is now seen more in stilettos.
6. Has recorded her own music album!
7. Fiona spent a week cattle droving on the inaugural Harry Redford Cattle Drove during the Year of the Outback in 2002.
8. Fiona was an award-winning journalist before entering parliament.
9. Fiona played a key role in the formation of the LNP, including voluntarily stepping down as Deputy Opposition Leader and Deputy Leader of the National Party to allow former Liberal MP Mark McArdle to become Lawrence Springborg's Deputy Leader of the LNP.